Ani DiFranco
Buffalo 4-22-12
(Righteous Babe Records)
Sheer artistry, emotional rawness, unwavering lyrical power and a breathy rebellion is only a part of singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco’s blazing career. Her intellectual prowess and complex guitar skills have also garnered her iconic status in the music industry. Her infectious soul-stirring guitar dynamics ignite the foundational styles of folk, rock, techno, rhythm and blues and punk while incorporating yet many other genres. Her newest release, Buffalo 4-22-12, is a live compilation that spans the range of DiFranco’s hefty discography. Back in 1990, she began selling her music on her own after deciding against selling herself out to music labels who clamored for her. She later went on to start her own label, Righteous Babe Records. Since 1990, DiFranco has released over 20 albums and in 2006 she was awarded the Woman of Courage Award by the National Organization for Women. Her grasp of politics, racism, slavery, gender politics, war, poverty and countless other humanitarian issues have captivated and empowered the masses. The acoustic anger she holds against an unworthy someone she is madly in love with on “Dilate†lyrically devastates while maintaining a bit of self-righteousness. Her new song, “See See See,†is a love song that contains a wonderful, talkative lead-up for the lovers and the long haul. The sing-along stinger, “Untouchable Face,†and its unforgettable chorus shines while the romantic brilliance of “Lag Time,†and the sway-worthy sweetness of “Mariachi†hold steady against the lyrical beauty of “Reckoning†as it speaks to finding tenacity or downfall.
The album can be purchased here.
